Watch a paralyzed Marine walk to receive his Bronze Star with help from robotic braces

Captain Derek Herrera fulfilled a promise on Friday that he made to himself, leaving the Marines after eight-and-a-half years the same way he entered: Walking tall.

Herrera was paralyzed in 2012 when a sniper's bullet struck him while he was serving in Afghanistan; since then, he has become a strong advocate for veterans' rights, while also attending the University of California, Los Angeles, as he works on a master's degree in business administration, CBS News reports.

On Friday, Herrera received a Bronze Star for his actions in Afghanistan. With the help of his ReWalk robotic leg braces, the Marine walked to his commanding officer during a ceremony at Camp Pendleton.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

"Today is not about me," Herrera told the crowd of 300 Marines. "The only reason I'm here is because so many of you got me to the point where I'm able to stand here and talk to you."

Watch the Marine fulfill his promise in the inspiring Associated Press video, below. --Sarah Eberspacher